Micro and double bottoms
this is for anyone who may be considering doing the double bottom on
Micro or a similar boat.
I am just about done with the second layer of plywood (double
1/4") to have my 1/2" thick bottom. I used butt straps for the first
layer in the hopes that I might be confident enough in it to skip
this
process entirely. No way, it just seems too flimsy; therefore the
double bottom. The second layer was attached with sheet rock screws
every 4 inches so that the glue could get a good bond. It appears to
have worked quite well with no detectable voids in the layers.
However, this is very labor intensive as the holes need to be filled
then sanded to prep the bottom.
time spent:
2 hours: first layer
2 hours: second layer
2 hours: removing screws and filling holes
2 hours: sanding holes
total: 8 hours for the double bottom.
My suggestion to anyone considering this approach is to use 1/2"
ply at the outset as it should take the bend ok, and then find a good
friend to help clench the nails on the butt straps. This will also
give you 1/2" butt straps to work with from your 1/2" stock, saving
another tedious step. That would make this a 2 hour project!
Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow so that I can round
the edges and apply a thin layer of glass to prevent any checking in
the plywood.
Happy Building,
David Jost "Boston, on a fine day"
Micro or a similar boat.
I am just about done with the second layer of plywood (double
1/4") to have my 1/2" thick bottom. I used butt straps for the first
layer in the hopes that I might be confident enough in it to skip
this
process entirely. No way, it just seems too flimsy; therefore the
double bottom. The second layer was attached with sheet rock screws
every 4 inches so that the glue could get a good bond. It appears to
have worked quite well with no detectable voids in the layers.
However, this is very labor intensive as the holes need to be filled
then sanded to prep the bottom.
time spent:
2 hours: first layer
2 hours: second layer
2 hours: removing screws and filling holes
2 hours: sanding holes
total: 8 hours for the double bottom.
My suggestion to anyone considering this approach is to use 1/2"
ply at the outset as it should take the bend ok, and then find a good
friend to help clench the nails on the butt straps. This will also
give you 1/2" butt straps to work with from your 1/2" stock, saving
another tedious step. That would make this a 2 hour project!
Hopefully the weather will cooperate tomorrow so that I can round
the edges and apply a thin layer of glass to prevent any checking in
the plywood.
Happy Building,
David Jost "Boston, on a fine day"